Heidegger in 60 seconds

In the ‘Question Concerning Technology’, the German philosopher Martin Heidegger reflects on technology. Stating that the essence of technology lies in enframing and ordering, he speaks of a danger. He writes: “Placed between these possibilities, man is endangered by destining. The destining of revealing is as such, in every one if its modes, and therefore necessarily, danger.” (231). What does Heidegger mean when he speaks of a danger? ... Hold my beer!

We might get stuck in a one-sided line of reasoning, which only involves cause and effect. The unconcealment that technology brings about, could lock us in the paradigm of certainty, forgetting to ask questions that transcend causality. Although science is correct reasoning, we could thus still lose sight of the truth and its fullness.

This reminds us of a quote by Ludwig Wittgenstein: “[E]ven if all possible scientific questions be answered, the problems of life have still not been touched at all. Of course there is then no question left, and just this is the answer.” ^[1] A scientific answer to religion could involve genetic disposition, psychological urge and neuronal stimuli, but it will not address any question concerning the scientific paradigm itself.

When Heidegger speaks of a danger, he refers to the risk of losing sight of the truth by shrinking our world view to a single paradigm. After all, the universe could be experienced as a fuller place than only matter in motion.